HSBC has agreed a further three-year term as global sponsor of FEI Eventing to include title sponsorships of the HSBC FEI Classics™ until the end of 2013 and the HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships™ in both 2011 and 2013.

HSBC has supported the FEI Classics™ series since 2008 and will be contributing US$ 1 million in prize money over the next three years, which represents the biggest prize pot on offer in Eventing on an annual basis.

Commenting on the renewal Giles Morgan, HSBC Group Head of Sponsorship, said: “HSBC has been a proud sponsor of the HSBC FEI Classics™ since its inception in 2008, as well as the HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships, and the bank is delighted to be continuing its support of these prestigious international events. As part of every sports sponsorship HSBC undertakes there is a commitment by the bank to invest in the grassroots level of the sport and over the coming years HSBC will be working closely with the FEI to help continue the growth and development of Eventing around the world.”

The HSBC FEI Classics™ 2011 series, which offers a prize of US$150,000 to the series champion, once again takes in the five four-star events – the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR), Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA), Luhmühlen CCI**** presented by E.ON (GER), The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR) and Les Etoiles de Pau CCI**** (FRA).

“We are delighted that HSBC, one of the FEI’s Platinum Partners, will be continuing its sponsorship of our flagship Eventing series, the HSBC FEI Classics”, FEI Secretary General Alex McLin commented. “The partnership of a global brand like HSBC and a series like the Classics is a perfect fit and HSBC’s continuing support of the FEI European Championships confirms them as the global sponsor of Eventing.”

The HSBC FEI Classics™ 2011 will once again run on a points system, with the leading riders at each event gaining points towards the overall standings. The series prizefund will be divided between the five riders at the top of the standings at the end of the season:
1st - US$ 150,000 (Series Champion)
2nd - US$ 75,000
3rd - US$ 50,000
4th - US$ 33,000
5th - US$ 25,000

“HSBC’s commitment to Eventing also extends to the HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships in 2011 and 2013, offering HSBC an excellent opportunity to engage with our customers and staff in key markets across Europe”, Giles Morgan said.

The FEI World Cup™ Eventing series, which is not included in the HSBC renewal agreement, remains one of the FEI’s key series and will continue to run under the same format as last year.